Floss Choices: Pros and Cons

The choices for a product as basic as dental floss can seem overwhelming, but you can’t go wrong with a choice of floss as long as you use it every day.

Each type of floss has pros and cons. Here are a few points to keep in mind about your flossing options:

Unwaxed floss is thin nylon floss made of about 35 strands twisted together. It fits into tight spaces if your teeth are close together, but it can be prone to shredding or breaking.

Waxed floss is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating. It is less likely to break, but the wax coating may make it harder to use in tight spots.

Dental tape is broader and flatter than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions. People with more space between their teeth often find dental tape more comfortable to use than standard floss.

Polytetrafluorethylene floss (PTFE) is the same material used in high-tech Gore-Tex fabric. The material slides between the teeth easily and is less likely to shred compared to standard floss.

Super flosses are made from yarn-like material that has stiffer sections on each end that can be used to clean around braces or dental bridges.